Oil lamp



Dec, 16, 1924,` l 1,519,235

J. AYTON-BLAKE on. LAMP Filed April s, 192s e sheets-sheet 1 fra/Mey Dee, 16, 1924.

' J. AYToN-BLAKE OIL LAM? Filed April 5, 1925 6-SheetsSheet 2 Dec- 16, 1924.

J: AYTON-BLAKE du. LAMP 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 5, 1923 Q. vw

Dec, 16, 1924.

J. AYTON-BLAKE OIL LAMP Filed'Apx-u 5. 192s 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Afa/x Patented Dec. 16, 1924.

QFFICE.

JAMES AYTON-BLKE, OF LONJON, ENGLAND.

OIL LAM?.

Application filed April 3,

To all iff/mm 'it 111m/ concern.'

Be it known that I, JAMES AYTONBLAKE, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at London, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Oil Lamps, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to improvements in oillamps of the kind adapted for burning for comparatively long periods without requiring attention and particularly to lamps of the type in which successive portions of the wick are brought opposite to a flame opening or openings in a flame controller by means operated by a float located in the oil reservoir.

The object of the present invention consists in a simplified and improved construction of lamps of this type which may be used for railway signal lamps or the like or for use in connection with incubators, or any other kind of lamps in which long burning is requisite to save labour.

According to this invention an ordinary r stationary wick, which may be either of the flat or of the circular type, is employed in a burner substantially of the construction commonly used in such lamps.

In thel case of a flat wick the flame controller is caused to move in a straight line over the top of the wick, while in the case of a circular wick the flame controller is rotated by any suitable means about the vertical axis of the burner, as for example by lever gear acting on a cam or by toothed gearing. In both cases the flame controller is automatically operated by means of a float located in the oil reservoir or container and in such a way that the flame opening or openings travel over the wick at a speed which is primarily determined by the fuel consumption so that when the float arrives at its lowest positionthat is when the oil is practically eXhausted,-every part of the wick has been exposed to the flame by the flame opening oropenings.

` In lamps'w-ith flat wicks it will be found sufficient' to provide the flame controller with a single flame opening which travels over` ,the` whole "width ofv the wick. When, however, a circular wick is employed itis advisable, with a view to increasing candle power. or caloric effect, and to full utilization of the burningcapacity of the wick, 'to

.i923 tSerial No. 629,626.

arrange, according to the diameter of thiA 1.

wick, two or more such openings distributed at equal angular distances, while at the same time adapting the speed of rotation of the controller to the length of travel of the iii-- dividual flame openings.

f the lamp is used for purposes in which it is subjected to movements from extraneousl sources, such as by being carried about or in ships, buoys or the like, or on trains or other vehicles, or in any other manner, it is evident that the liquid fuel will be agitated. or that the several parts of the lamp will change their positions in relation to the level of the liquid fuel, so that an erratic recipro eating movement is imparted to the float.

In order to counteract the effect of such irregular mover-nente upon the working of the flame controller, two floats are employed which are located at opposite ends of the fuel tank so that, under the influence of the changing positions of the lamp in relation to the liquid level, such liquid imparts to one float a tendency to fall and to the otherl float a tendency to rise. rlhe two floats are so connected by gear with the flame controller, that the said opposing tendencies act iu opposite directions so that their efforts on the latter are balanced and no movement is traiismitted to the flame controller. Vhen. however. during the period the lamp is on a level, both floats have a tendency to fall they thereby join forces and the flame controller is operated.

The accompanying drawings show examples of constructions embodying the invention.

Fig. l is a vertical section,

Fig. 2 is a similar sectiontaken at right angles to that of Fig. l and Fig. 3 is a plan. view of a lamp with a cylindrical wick more particularly suitable for heating purposes, while Figs. 4t, and 6 are similar illustrations of a signal lamp with an ordinary flat wick.

Fig. shows in a` vertical section.

Fig. 8 in a similar section at right angles thereto, and

Fig. 9 in a horizontal section, along line IX-IX. of Fig. 8, a modified construction, in a lamp with a cylindrical wicln/o'f the means for operating theflame controller.

Fig. 10 shows in a vertical section and Fig. 11 in a horizontal ysection along linel XI-X1 of Fig. 10 an arrangement particularly adapted to lamps which are subjected to extraneous movements.

On the oil reservoir 1 (Figs. 1 to 3) is mounted a burner, substantially of known construction and comprising the stationary wick holder 2 with the outerI wick holder casing 3 and the usual hand operated toothed wheel 4 for raising and lowering the wick 5.

A stem 6 rotatably mounted in spiders 7, 8 arranged in and near the top of the stationary wick holder 2, carries rigidly connected to it the flame controller 9 which is in the form of an inverted cup or dish and covers the top of the wick holder. The cylindrical rim 10 of the flame controller 9 eX- tends 'downwardly as an arm 11 which is provided with a helical cam groove or slot 12 with which engages the horizontally bent upper end or finger 1321 of the rod 13 which is guided in a suitable guide provided on the top of the reservoir 1. The rod 13 is pivotally attached to a cross bar 14 connecting a pair of levers 15, 15 which carry the cylindrical float 16 and are pivoted at 17 on the bracket 18 which is suspended from the top of the reservoir 1.

The -flame controller 9 is provided with three apertures or flame openings 19 arranged at equal angular distances of 120O in a circle registering with the top of Vthe wick. Each flame opening 19 thus controls an arc of 120O of the wick.

The usual gallery 2O mounted on top of the reservoir around the burner is adapted to hold the chimney 21 which is provided with an observation window 22.

The operation and working of the lamp are as follows The wick is lighted at the three flame openings 19, thus providing three fiames. lVith the consumpton of the oil and the consequent sinking of its level the dropping float 16 oscillates its supporting levers 15 about their pivot 17, whereby the rod 13 is drawn down and by the co-operation of its linger 13a with the helical cam slot 12 causes the controller 9 'to be rotated. The flame openings 19 are thus caused to travel along over the wick thereby gradually exposing new wick surface to the flame while on the otherl hand extinguishing a corresponding portion of light-ed wick.

The lamp may be used as ordinary heat generator by removing the flame controller 9 and putting in its place a well known heat radiating disc provided with a stem such as 6 fitting in the spiders 7 8. Obviously, however, and inasmuch as the whole circumference of the wick is then alight the fuel consumption will be increased and consequently the burning hours reduced to those of an ordinary lamp of equal size and capacity.

ln the construction of the signal lamp shown in Figs. 4 to 6 the oil reservoir is formed by the lower part 24 of the lamp casing 25. The wick holder 26 with the wick adjusting device for the flat wick 41 is rigidly mounted n a dish-shaped cover 27 having a downwardly turned rim 27a adapted to fit over a cylindrical flange 28 mounted around an aperture 29a on the top 29 of the reservoir 24.

The arc shaped flame controller 39 is carried by the arm 31 of a two armed sheet metal lever which is guided in a slot 32 in the cover 27 and pivoted in a bracket 34 provided at the underside of the cover 27 by means of a pin 33 secured to the lever. rllhe other arm 31a of the said two armed lever is disposed at an angle to the 'arm 31 and provided with a slot 35 which engages the cranked portion 36ZL of one of a pair of levers 36 which carry the float 37 and are pivcted at 38 on the bracket 39 which is secured to the underside of cover 27.

The flame controller 30 is provided with an aperture 40 registering with the wick 4l.

Vhen the wick is lighted opposite the ap erture 40 and the float 37 dropswith the sinking level of the fuel the cranked part 36?L of lever 36 causes thev double armed lever 31, 31 to swing on its fulcrum 33, thereby moving thc controller 30 over the top of the wick so that the flame opening 40 gradually travels across the width of the wick.

As will be seen in this construction all the working parts are connected with the burner into one complete unit which may readily be removed for cleaning or other purposes and be replaced in the most easy manner.

The lamp shown in Figs. 7 3 and 9, provided with a cylindrical wick is in its general construction similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3, but differs therefrom in the means by which the rotary motion is transmitted from the float to the flame controller.

As in the case referred to, a cylindrical g The flame controller of inverted cup shape. is by means of the thumb nut 51, reinovably held on the collar 52 of the shaft 53 which is co-aXially arranged in thewick holder 2 and journalled in the bearing 54 provided in the partition 55 and in the stepbearing 56 arranged in the bracket 57 mounted on the partition 58 of the stationary wick holder 2. At its lower end the shaft 53 carries the pinion 59 whichis in mesh with the crown wheel 60 mounted onthe horizontal shaft 61. The shaft 61 bears on the one hand in the bracket 57 and on the other hand in the journal 62 provided in the side wall of the wick holder 2. 0n the outside of the said wick holder the Shaft 61 is lll) cranked, thereby forming. the lever- 211111 63 at the outer, end of which is mounted the float 64.

The operation of the device will be readily understood; the gradually sinking float 64 rotates the shaft 61 with the crown wheel 6,0, thereby imparting. motion through pinion 59 to the shaft 5 0 and the flame controller 50.

The partitions and 5S respectively prevent the oil from spilling over the top of the burner, and escaping downwardly through the wick holder 2 and, in order to provide for air circulation through the burner, two or more tubes are arranged to pass through the said partitions.

Instead of arranging the gears as described in thel interior. of the wich holder tube, they might be arranged on its outside.

Figs. 10 and l1 show a lamp adapted for uses in which it is subjected to extraneous movements.

Two floats 6d and 6i arranged on diametrically opposite sides of the burner, arc carried respectively by the. lever arms 63 and 63il ofthev shafts 6l and 61a. Bevel wheels 60 and 60?l mounted on the said shafts are meshing at diametrically opposite points with the bevel pinion 59, so that when `the bevel wheels 60 and 60a are operated in opposite directions they impart the same rotary direction to the pinion 5f). but counteract each other, when operated in the same direction.

lVhen, therefore, the lamp is level, both floats 64 and 64 will have a downward movement in accordance with the sinking level of the liquid fuel, and the pinion 59 will thus be actuated.

If,`howeve r, the lamp rocks about a horizontal axis, the liquid level at one side, say for example at the right hand side in the drawings, will sink and at the other or lefthand side it will rise in relation to the container'. The float 64 would thus fall and thereby rotate the pinion 59 in one direction, if it were not prevented from effecting this by the other float 64 which, under the upward pressure of the liquid, acts on the pinion 59 in the opposite direction. Neither of the two gea-rs will therefore bc able to move-one locking the otherand the floats will remain balanced in the positions they occupied until the lamp is again level, when both floats will go down with the din'iinishiug liquid fuel. The llame controller will thus be operated in only one direction.

It will be understood that the details of construction may be modified without departing from the principle of the invention.

I claim l. A lamp, comprising a liquid fuel reservoir, a wick holder there-in, a movable flame controller located immediately over the immediately over the upper end of the wich` and provided with at least one flame opening which is adapted to be progressively shifted in a substantially-horiaontal plane over different portions of the wick end. a rocking float carrier in the reservoir. a float thereon, and connections between the carrier and the controller for automaticall).r effecting the shifting movement of the latter as the level of the fuel. in the reservoir sinks; substantially as described.

3. A lamp, comprising a liquid fuel reservoir, a wick holder therein, a movable flame controller located immediately over the upper end of the wick and providedy wit-h at least one flame opening, a float carrier in the reservoir, a float thereon, a horizontal shaft in the reservoir and to which the controller is connected, said shaft adapted to be rotated automatically consequent uponthe falling movement of the float carrier as the level ofthe fuel in the reservoir sinks, and gearing between said shaft and the controller to move tlu` latter rela tively to the wick end and thereby bringI the flame opening in the controller oppo- Site fresh portions of the wick end; sul)- stantially described.

i 4. lamp. comprising a liquid fuel reservoir. a tubular wick holder therein for supporting` a circular wick. a rotatable llamo controller mounted over the upper end of the wick and provided with at least one flame opening located immediately above said wick end, afloat car ier movably mounted in the reservoir. a float on said carrier. a horizontal shaft in the reservoir and to which the controller is connected` said shaft adapted to be rotated automatically consequent upon the falling` movement of the float carrier as the level of the fuel in. the` reservoir sinks. and gearing between said shaftl andthe controller to rotate the latter relatively to the wick end and thereby bring the llame opening in the controller opposite fresh portions of the wick end: substantially as described.

5. A lamp, comprising a liquid fuel reservoir, a tubular wick holder therein for supporting a circular wick, a rotatable flame controller mounted over the upper end of CID the wick and provided with at least one flame opening located immediately above Said wick end, a float carrier movably mounted in t-he reservoir, a float on said carrier, and connections between the carrier and the controller for automatically rotating the latter as the level of the fuel in the reservoir sinks, thereby to bring the flame opening in the controller opposite fresh- .the level of the fuel in the reservoir sinks,

thereby to bring the flame opening in the controller vopposite vfresh portions of the wick end; substantially as described.

7. A lamp, comprising a liquid fuel reservoir, a tubular wick holder therein for supporting a circular wick, a vertical shaft in said reservoir, a fiame controller attached to the upper end of said shaft above the top of the wick and provided with at least one flame opening located immediately over the wick top, a float carrier in the reservoir,

a float thereon, a horizontal shaft in the` reservoir and to which the controller is connected, said horizontal shaft adapted to be rotated automatically consequent upon .the downward movement of the float carrier as the level of the fuel in the reservoir sinks, and gearing between the horizontal and vertical shafts for rotating the latter and the controller, thereby to bring the flame opening in the controller opposite fresh portions of the wick end: substantially as de scribed.

8. A lamp, comprising a liquid fuel reservoir, a tubular wick holder therein for supporting a circular wick, a horizontal flame controller disposed above the top of the wick in coaxial relation thereto and having at least one flame opening which is located immediately over said wick top, a float carrier in the reservoir, a float thereon, and connections between the carrier and the controller for automatically rotating the latter consequent upon the downward movement of the carrier as the level of the fuel in the reservoir sinks, thereby to bring the flame opening in the controller opposite fresh portions of the wick end; substantially as described. l

9. A lamp, comprising aliquid fuel reservoir, a tubular wick holder therein for supporting a circular wick, a horizontal flame controller disposed above the top of the wick in coaxial relation thereto and having at least 'one flame opening which is located immediately over said wick top, a pair of float carriers in the reservoir, a float on each carrier, and connections between both carriers and the controller for automatically rotating the latter in accordance with the movements of the floats as the level of the fuel in the reservoir sinks; said connections serving to rotate the controller when both floats move in the same direction, but counteracting each other when the iioats move in opposite directions, the rotation of the controller bringing its flame opening opposite different portions of the wick end;

substantially as described.

JAMES A YTON-BLAKE. Witnesses z H. W. Coon,v A. HUGHES. 

